Redrise Shade

Deep in the New Forest between New Milton and the heart of Hampshire's woodland, Redrise Shade is exactly what its name suggests - a proper forest escape where the canopy gets thick enough that you actually notice the temperature drop. It's not a visitor attraction with facilities or marked trails; this is the real deal forest walking territory where you pick your own route through beech and oak.

The appeal here is straightforward. If you want to disappear into proper woodland without crowds or interpretation boards, this delivers. Walkers will love it - the terrain varies enough to keep things interesting, and there's genuine shade in summer when you need it. Families with older kids who can handle uneven ground and won't panic about muddy paths will do fine. Little ones might find it a bit monotonous unless they're the type to get excited spotting woodpeckers.

Coming out here as part of a New Forest base works brilliantly. You're only minutes from New Milton, and staying at one of the nearby campsites - Setthorns, Holmsley, or the various glamping spots if you want something cushier - puts you right in the thick of it. Hoburne Bashley is about four miles out and gives you easy access to this and dozens of other forest patches.

Plan for anything between an hour's gentle wander and a full morning depending on how lost you want to get. Go early on weekdays if silence matters. No visitor info centre, so bring an OS map or download offline maps - your phone won't thank you for GPS-hunting under dense canopy.